Paper short abstract:

Drawing on perspectives form ethnography and sociology the paper explores the everyday practices and routines fostered by easily accessible and low-priced public swimming pools in Iceland that were introduced on bases of ample geothermal resources in the country.

Paper long abstract:

Due to abundant geothermal resources Icelanders enjoy the comfort of inexpensively heated homes and easily accessible year-round public spaces where young and old can gather irrespective of social standing, age and bodily condition. The outdoor public swimming pool has in recent decades become the most frequented gathering place nationwide fostering utopic characteristics as a place of democracy and wellness. As a part of a study on the impact of the 'geothermal' on everyday life of Icelanders the paper focuses on the rhythms and routines of daily use of the cheaply and widely accessible pools and hot-tubs. On daily bases the facilities attract hordes of people that prepare themselves for the day in public in contrast to the overall trend in other affluent societies that have made the care of the body a private affair. Drawing on ethnological and sociological insights the paper scrutinizes these practices with reference to conceptualizations of cleanliness and wellbeing and exploring gender sensitive rules and stringent boundaries of nakedness in public and private open spaces. The study is based on detailed survey material gathered from different parts of the country reflecting diversity in age and gender and mapping everyday practices of the Icelandic swimming pool culture and the qualities of the pool as public space.